Key milestone for Tourle Street and Cormorant Road Duplication

Minister for Industry, Innovation and ScienceSenator for New South Wales

Melinda Pavey

NSW Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight

Scot MacDonald

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter and Central Coast

Cormorant Road traffic diverted onto newly built section of road, with Tourle Street traffic to also be switched

Change marks major milestone in $103.8 million project to improve safety and freight efficiency

Project on track for completion in late 2018

Traffic has been diverted from Cormorant Road onto a newly built section of road, marking another major milestone for the duplication of Tourle Street and Cormorant Road at Kooragang.

Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said the Australian Government was investing a record $75 billion in infrastructure nationwide to keep cities moving and deliver a safer, more efficient regional road network.

“Just one of many projects we are delivering across Australia, this duplication is aimed at improving traffic flow and catering for future traffic growth,” Mr Chester said.

“Kooragang Island is part of one of Australia’s most important ports, and upgrading this section of road will support the 33,000 vehicles which use the corridor every day, including the many local freight operators shifting goods to international markets.

“The upgrade includes duplicating 3.8 kilometres of road between Industrial Drive at Mayfield West and Egret Street at Kooragang to provide two lanes in each direction, along with a second two-lane bridge on the western side of the existing Tourle Street Bridge.”

Senator for New South Wales Arthur Sinodinos said during the week starting Monday 5 June, motorists travelling along Tourle Street from about 400 metres north of the Industrial Drive intersection to the Tourle Street Bridge will be shifted south onto the newly built section of road.

“Motorists travelling along Cormorant Road between Egret Street and the Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group entrance were recently shifted south onto the newly built section of road,” Senator Sinodinos said.

“These diversions are required to allow work to be carried out on the existing roads and are expected to remain in place for around five months, weather permitting.

“The patience of motorists will be well-rewarded with a less congested local road network, particularly for travel to and from Newcastle Airport and into Port Stephens.”

New South Wales Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Melinda Pavey said the upgrade would support a growing Hunter region.

“Other parts of this upgrade include 2.5 metre wide shoulders on Cormorant Road to cater for on-road cyclists, as well as road widening on the side of the existing Cormorant Road,” Mrs Pavey said.

“With the expansion of Newcastle Airport, the growth of industrial development on Koorgang Island, and increased urban development in Port Stephens and Newcastle more broadly, an upgrade like this will pay real dividends for the community.”

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter and Central Coast Scot MacDonald said intermittent night work and extended Saturday hours will remain in place until the end of July 2017, weather permitting. Work is being carried out Sunday to Friday between 6pm and 7am and on Saturdays between 7am and 6pm.

“To ensure the safety of workers and all road users, a temporary reduced 40 km/h speed limit, lane closures and traffic control remain in place.”

The Australian and New South Wales governments have committed $51.9 million to fund the project, which is expected to be completed in late 2018.

For the latest traffic information, visit www.livetraffic.com, download Live Traffic App or call the Transport Management Centre on 132 701.